Needle mounting



July 24, 1956 MQRANDO 2,755,801

NEEDLE MOUNTI Filed May 9 19 Z9 INVENTOR. Emil/012 Warn/1J United States Patent: ce

NEEDLE MOUNTING Emilio D. Morando, Rutherford, N. 1., assignor to Becton,

Dickinson and Company, Rutherford, N. 3., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 9, 1952, Serial No. 286,875

11 Claims. (Cl. 128-221) This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved needle mounting or coupling to form a part of a hypodermic syringe assembly.

In hypodermic syringes as customarily manufactured up to the present date, the glass barrel has terminated in an integral tip portion with which there was associated a metallic collar. That collar or sleeve has extended beyond the end of the tip and has presented an internal thread or threads. The collar has been provided with a transverse perforated base portion intermediate its edges and the inner face of which portion has been disposed adjacent the outer end of the barrel tip. Extending outwardly from the base portion has been a hollow projec tion or plug with respect to which the adjacent sleeve or collar part has been concentrically disposed. The bore of this projection has been in line with the perforation.

Outwardly extending edge portions forming a part of a needle hub have cooperated with the thread. As the needle has been turned with respect to the sleeve in one direction, the needle hub has been drawn inwardly incident to the cooperation of its outwardly extending flange portions with the threads of that sleeve. As the parts have moved in this manner, the projection or plug portion has been forced into sealing contact with the surfaces of the hub bore. Therefore, the cannula which is co-extensive with that hub and in communication with its bore, has been placed in communication with the passage extending lengthwise of the projection or plug portion and through the sleeve base. In this manner, the needle has been properly attached against movement with respect to the collar or sleeve.

To in turn secure that sleeve to the barrel tip, it has been customary to have the rear portion of the sleeve bore of practically the same diameter as the outside diameter of the tip. Therefore, with the latter introduced into that bore, it has been feasible to telescopically dispose the sleeve with respect to the barrel tip by the application of considerable force. To assure a proper fluid-tight seal between the base portion of the sleeve and the outer edge of the barrel tip, it has been customary to form a flange or inwardly extending lip on the face of the base portion and the thickness of this element has been such that under adequate pressure, it is capable of limited deformation. Therefore, coincident with the forcing of the sleeve onto the tip of the syringe barrel, this lip or flange has come into engagement with the outer edge of that tip under pressures such that the lip would be deformed to have even engagement throughout its entire circumference with the tip edge.

Incident to the pressures employed in forcing the col lar or sleeve over the glass tip of the syringe and in bringing the edge of the fin or ridge into contact with the outer edge of the barrel tip, difliculties are experienced. The greatest of these occurs as a consequence of the barrel tip breaking as the parts are forced home. Even more serious is the danger of that tip becoming weakened incident to the seating of the parts and such weak- Patented July 24, 1956 2 ening not being readily apparent. Under those circumstances, the syringe is liable to be marketed and to fail in use. In any event, it will be apparent that an expensive inspection procedure is in all cases involved in an endeavor to detect and reject syringe barrel assemblies which have been weakened. Also, where damage has occurred, the rejecting of these assemblies adds materially to the cost of the perfect assemblies which are marketed.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the invention to furnish a needle mounting in which the dangers of breakage or damage are reduced to a minimum, if not entirely eliminated; the achievement of this result permitting of the marketing of the syringe for a lower figure than has heretofore been practicable.

Among other objects of the invention are those of providing a stronger barrel tip and the furnishing of better seals between the syringe barrel, the mounted needle and the intervening coupling as well as the teaching of a structure which may be readily sterilized and provided without the employment of special skills.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheet of drawings illustrating practical embodiments of the invention and in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional side view of the tip end of a syringe barrel with a needle mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 shows in section an alternative form of structure;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating an optional design; and

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are views similar to Figs. 2 and 3 but showing still further forms of structure constructed in accordance with the present teachings.

Referring primarily to Fig. l, the numeral 10 indicates the inner end portion of a syringe barrel formed preferably of glass and with which a plunger (not shown) cooperates in order to causean expulsion of liquid medicament through the bored tip 11 thereof. A sleeve or collar 12 is supported upon the tip in a manner hereinafter described. This sleeve or collar in turn provides a mounting for a hypodermic needle including a piercing and injectable portion 13 secured to a hub 14. The latter in accordance with conventional practice is provided with outwardly extending flange portions 15 which cooperate with the thread 16 formed internally of the collar 12. Also, in accordance with conventional technique the hub 14 is provided with an outwardly tapered bore 17 communicating and aligned with the bore of cannula 13.

Now with a view to securing the sleeve or collar 12 against movement with respect to the barrel 10, that collar is formed with a transverse apertured partition 13 which furnishes on its inner face a seat. Mounted upon this seat is the outwardly extending flange 19 of a plug 20 which is centrally bored and tapered outwardly in both directions from the flange 19. This plug is formed of a suitable plastic material according to one preferred aspect of the present invention. That material should embody a certain amount of flexibility and resiliency and be inert so as to cause no reactions with respect to medical solutions. A suitable material, polytetrafiuoroethylene, may be used in this connection although other materials may also be employed.

The outer end of syringe tip 11 is preferably headed as indicated at 21 and the underface of this headed portion may extend angularly in an inward direction towards the barrel to furnish an inclined surface 22. Thus, as the rear edge of the collar 12 is forced or spun inwardly in the manner shown in Fig. 1, it follows that if this construction is resorted to a camming action will occur which will tend to ensleeve the collar 12 over the head 21 of the tip to a greater extent. The inward extension of the collar to provide a flange portion has been indicated at 23; such flange portion lying in contact with the rear face 22 of the head 21.

At the time of formation of the syringe barrel and its tip portion, the latter is furnished with a bore 24 which is flared in an outward direction corresponding to the flaring of bore 17 of the needle hub. As illustrated, it is preferred that the end of plug which extends outwardly of collar 12 be of slightly greater diameter and length than the end which extends into bore 24 of the tip. Due to this unequal length of the plug ends, those portions of the plug which extend from opposite faces of the base or partition 18 will have substantially equal length. However, the parts may be otherwise proportioned, both with respect to length and diameter, in accordance with the desires of the designer.

In any event, with flange portion 19 seating against partition 18 and with the inner end of the plug bearing against the surfaces of bore 24, it follows that by flanging collar 12 inwardly as at 23 to cam against surface 22, the inner plug end will be even more firmly forced into engagement with the bore surface 24, this will be true even if the camming action does not occur so long as proper pressure upon the parts is exerted. Thus, the collar will be prevented from outward movement by the overlap furnished through flange 23 in engagement with the rear surface of said portion 21. It will be supported against inward movement incident to the resistance of the inner plug portion which will preferably be under slight compression and act through flange portion 19 against partition 18. Due to the characteristics of the materials of which plug 20 is conveniently formed, a sealing zone will be established throughout the surface of the inner plug end and the adjacent face of bore 24. This sealing zone may either have a limited area, or occur throughout the entire length of bore 24. In any event, liquid will be unable to flow between the plug and that bore. At the same time, the sleeve or collar 12 will be rigidly supported with respect to the barrel.

Bore 24 requires no grinding. Therefore, this expense is avoided. Also, the tip is not weakened aside from the fact that it may, in accordance with the present teachings, be feasible to embody a more rugged design of tip than has heretofore been practicable. Spaces will not exist within which a foreign material or dry medicament may lodge. Accordingly, conventional sterilizing techniques will assure a completely clean unit. It will be unnecessary to employ any excessive force in securing the collar or sleeve against movement with respect to the syringe tip. Consequently, the latter will not be subject to the liability of fracturing or cracking during this operation. Thus, aside from the reduction in inspection costs, an assembly is furnished which will be relatively inexpensive and also be capable of being provided without any especial skill. with the threads 16 of the sleeve or collar and the tapered outwardly extending portion of the plug so that a completely effective seal is provided between these parts aside from the fact that the needle will be properly supported against undesired movements with respect to the syringe barrel.

In the form of structure as shown in Fig. 2, the glass barrel and portions integral therewith may be identical with that heretofore described. However, in this view, the preferably metallic collar or sleeve 25, while having a thread 26 corresponding to the threads 16, is provided with a transverse partition or flange 27 having a larger opening than that of partition 18. Extending through this opening is a plug 28 terminating in an inner base portion 29 which is interposed between partition 27 and the outer face of tip head 21. The plug 28 and its base flange 29 are preferably formed of a material similar fro that specified in connection with plug 20. Therefore,

as the parts are assembled, base 29 will be forced into liquid-sealing contact with partition 27 and the outer The needle will, of course, cooperate face of tip head 21. Therefore, liquid flowing through the bore 30 of the barrel tip will be confined in its movements to the bore of plug 28.

As shown in Fig. 3, the tip head 31 may be provided with a recess 32 in its outer face. There is applied to this tip a collar or sleeve 33 provided with threads 34 and a flange portion 35 which may have its inner face inclined with respect both to the axis and perpendicular of the axis of the assembly. A tapered plug 36 corresponding to the plug portion 28 is also provided and may terminate adjacent its inner end in an outwardly extending flange portion 37 and a base 38. The outer face of the flange portion may be tapered to correspond to the tapering of the inner face of partition or flange 35. Base 38 is contoured to correspond to the contouring of recess 32. This structure will, of course, act with a high degree of efficiency to prevent any flows of liquid other than through the bores of the tip and the plug.

As in Fig. 4, sleeve 12 may be provided with a transverse apertured partition 18 substantially identical with the structure shown in Fig. 1. However, in this form of construction in order to rigidify the plug 39 and to generally reinforce the same, a metallic shell 40 may be provided as part of the plug body. Conveniently, this shell will extend throughout only one of the end zones of the plug. Also, as shown, the shell is preferably embedded within the body of the plug. It is apparent that other designs and structures of an obvious nature might be resorted to. In any event, and again by this structure, an assembly is furnished which has advantages as afore enumerated with previously described designs.

In the form of structure shown in Fig. 5, a barrel 10 provided with a tip 11 terminating in a head portion 21 is employed similar to the structure as described in Fig. l, for example. Also, in accordance with that structure the tip is furnished with an outwardly flared bore 24 and the inner end of the sleeve or collar may terminate in a flange portion 23 engaging against the rear face 22 of the tip head. However, contrary to the structure in the earlier figures, sleeve or collar 41 is provided with a transverse partition 42 interrupted merely by a bore of such reduced diameter that it serves to adequately provide for the passage of liquid medicament. This sleeve or collar is again formed with an internal thread 43 and provides an outwardly extending tapered plug portion 44. The inner face of the partition is provided with a rearwardly extending fin or flange 45. This part, as well as the plug 44, is preferably integral with the partition sleeve. This sleeve is substantially conventional and therefore this element corresponds generally to the unit and assembly as traversed in the introduction to this specification. However, instead of having flange 45 directly contact the outer face of tip head 21, a plug 46 has its base 47 interposed between this fin and the syringe tip surface. The plug extends into the flared bore 24 of the syringe tip. Therefore, as the sleeve or collar is moved into proper position with respect to the barrel tip, it is apparent that not alone will the plug be forced into sealing contact with the face of bore 24 but also fin or flange 45 will not be deformed. Rather, it will embed or bite into the outer surface of base or flange portion 47 to establish a liquid-tight seal with the same.

In Fig. 6, a structure as heretofore described in connection with Fig. 1, may be included in the syringe barrel and its tip as well as the rear or inner end portion of the sleeve. However, this sleeve 48 will, in the embodiment under consideration, include an integral transverse partition 49 which mounts a double-ended tapered plug 50. As shown, the sleeve will also present screw threads on its inner bore face. These have been indicated at 51. All of these parts will preferably be of metal. Contrary to the previous structures in which no external or internal grinding has been desirable or neces sary, the bore 24- of the barrel tip will in. this instance be subjected to a grind throughout at least part of its length. Consequently, throughout that zone a liquidtight seal will be established between the inner portion of plug 50 and the bore surface.

As in Fig. 7 a structure similar to that shown in Fig. 1 is illustrated. However, the parts are so proportioned that when the flange of the plug 52 is seated on the partition 54 of collar 53, it will be in face-to-face contact with the head 21. Accordingly, a needle applied to the thread 55 will be substantially rigid with tip 11. This construction is in many respects preferred. As also shown in Fig. 7, both ends of the plug 52 may have equal length and identical configuration. In this manner, the plug will be reversible.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of the parts mi ht be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A needle mounting assembly including in combination a syringe barrel, a bored headed, tip extending from the end of the same, a sleeve encircling said tip, a flange forming a part of said sleeve and camming against surfaces of said head to draw said sleeve thereon, a tapered plug, means for connecting said plug to extend axially of said sleeve and means for maintaining surfaces of said plug in sealing contact with adjacent tip surfaces.

2. A needle mounting assembly including in combination a syringe barrel, a bored headed, a tip extending therefrom, a sleeve encircling said tip and projecting outwardly beyond the end of the same, a flange forming a part of said sleeve and camming against surfaces of said head to draw said sleeve thereon, a plug separate from said sleeve and tip and maintained in sealing relationship with the surfaces of said tip by said sleeve, said plug being formed of a material different than the material forming said tip and means adjacent the outer sleeve end to provide an edge portion serving as a mounting for the hub of a needle.

3. A needle mounting assembly including in combination a syringe barrel, an integral bored and headed tip extending outwardly therefrom, a sleeve, a flange forming a part of said sleeve and extending inwardly around the head of said tip to permanently prevent outward movement of the former with respect to the latter and means interposed between a part of said sleeve and the outer end of the tip to prevent inward movement of the former with respect to the latter.

4. A needle mounting assembly including in combination a syringe barrel, an integral bored tip extending outwardly therefrom, a sleeve, means forming a part of said sleeve and cooperating with said tip to prevent outward movement of the former with respect to the latter, means interposed under compression between a part of said sleeve and the outer end of the tip to prevent inward movement of the former with respect to the latter and a tapered plug extending within and outwardly of said sleeve to be received within the hollow hub of a needle.

5. A needle mounting assembly including in combination a glass syringe barrel and a tip integral therewith and extending outwardly therefrom, a metallic sleeve encircling said tip and extending outwardly from the same, a transverse partition forming a part of said sleeve and arranged beyond the outer surface of said tip, a plug of compressible plastic material mounted by said sleeve and a portion of said plug being interposed be tween a surface of said partition and the outer end of said syringe tip and being disposed in sealing relationship with respect to surfaces of the latter.

6. A syringe assembly including in combination a glass syringe formed with an integral outwardly extending tip, a metallic sleeve encircling said tip and projecting outwardly therefrom, a transverse partition forming a part of said sleeve, a plug formed of a material possessing flexible and compressible characteristics, at least a portion of said plug being interposed between said tip and said partition and means associated with said sleeve to provide a mounting for the hub of a hypodermic needle.

7. A syringe assembly including in combination a glass syringe formed with an integral outwardly extending tip, a metallic sleeve encircling said tip and projecting outwardly therefrom, a transverse partition forming a part of said sleeve, a plug formed of a material possessing flexible and compressible characteristics, at least a portion of said plug being interposed between said tip and said partition, a tapered portion forming a part of said plug and extendable into the hub of a hypodermic needle and means forming a part of said sleeve to cooperate with said hub to draw the latter into telescopical relationship with respect to the latter portion of said plug.

8. A syringe assembly including in combination a glass syringe formed with an integral outwardly extending tip, a metallic sleeve encircling said tip and projecting outwardly therefrom, a transverse partition forming a part of said sleeve, a plug formed of a material possessing flexible and compressible characteristics, at least a portion of said plug being interposed between said tip and said partition, a tapered portion forming a part of said plug and extendable into the hub of a hypodermic needle and said sleeve presenting a bore to receive the hub of such a needle.

9. A needle mounting assembly including in combination a syringe barrel, an integral headed tip portion extending outwardly therefrom, a sleeve encircling said tip portion and underlying said head, a transverse apertured partition forming a part of said sleeve, a plug extending through the aperture of such partition and a base portion interposed between said partition and the outer surface of said tip.

10. A needle mounting assembly including in combination a syringe barrel, an integral headed tip portion extending outwardly therefrom, a sleeve encircling said tip portion and underlying said head, a transverse apertured partition forming a part of said sleeve, a plug of tapered configuration extending inwardly within a bore formed in said tip and a base portion forming a part of said plug and interposed between the outer tip face and said partition.

11. A needle mounting assembly including in combination a glass syringe barrel, a bored tip extending outwardly therefrom, an inclined surface forming a part of said tip and disposed adjacent and extending towards said barrel, a sleeve encircling said tip, a tapered plug secured against movement with respect to said sleeve and means forming a part of said sleeve and camming against said inclined tip surface to telescope said sleeve over said tip and cause portions of said plug to sealingly contact surfaces of said tip to prevent leakage of liquid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,143,855 Park June 22, 1915 1,683,350 Hein Sept. 4, 1928 1,793,068 Dickinson Feb. 17, 1931 2,076,121 Dickinson Apr. 6, 1937 2,158,593 Scrimgeour May 16, 1939 2,464,840 Fogg Mar. 22, 1949 2,517,689 Lement Aug. 8, 1950 2,638,897 Poitras May 19, 1953 2,656,836 Hickey Oct. 27, 1953 

